This fountain pen is a generous gift from Dipanjan and Parijat which they picked up during their recent tour of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The body of the pen is made from the wood of Wagon Tree. This particular type of Protea tree (Protea Nitida) is the only one that grows into trees with wood hardy enough to be shaped into fountain pen barrels. They are usually found on the side of the mountains at all elevations.

When they mentioned about the Protea wood, I remembered something – that the cricket team from South Africa is often referred to as the Proteans. (like the New Zealanders are called Kiwis). Got curious about the connection. Upon research, I learnt that Protea is the national flower of South Africa. Did not know about that.

Coming back to the pen, the nib is made in Germany. Composed of iridium, it is the classic style with exposed feed.

I think brown ink will go best with this. I have a Macassar ink from Diamine in mind.

Been a bit peeved with myself lately for not staying as disciplined in my goals as I would like to be – or used to be. Got much of my mental confusion sorted out writing a long journal entry this morning. Do you journal? It certainly helps me clear my mind. How does it help you?

This missive is headed out to France…

Every month or so, cleaning up four fountain pens and filling them up with different colored inks. If you threw a writing pad at me at that moment, I would probably sit down and write a letter immediately – to nobody in particular… just to get that incredible feeling of the metal nib brushing against that fine paper.

Sharmila is usually scared to death that I will spill some ink and permanently destroy her marble top in the kitchen island. Especially with that glass of cocktail within an easy reach!

Admittedly, there is some satisfaction in that too 🙂 🙂

Today’s letters are heading out to Switzerland and Japan. I could not finish up the process since I suddenly realized that I have run out of the good envelopes!

Today’s letters are headed to Australia and Switzerland

Cleaned the four pens I had in my office bag and kept them back in the collection. Brought out four different pens. The ink colors are a bit interesting this time – brown, purple, sky blue and pink. Hopefully, I do not have to sign any documents !! Used the purple one for letter writing.

Atlas Stationers. One of my favorite pen shops. They have the most esoteric inks you can get.

I needed a couple of extra fine nibs. (“needed” is a bit exaggerated). Anyways, picked up this Conklin and Monteverde.

Rode the motorbike for 25 miles. Sat at a coffeeshop and got a cappuccino. Then, pulled out some paper and a fountain pen to write out a letter.